Signs Your Nose Starts Showing If You Are Suffering From This Deadly Cancer

Cancer is a collective term used to describe a broad range of diseases that develop from abnormal cells that uncontrollably divide. These rogue cells can infiltrate and damage normal body tissue.

The deadly disease can spread to other parts of the body, and oftentimes, treatment outcomes may also depend on how far it has already spread. This is why it is very important to identify the symptoms early on.

Nasal Warning Signs

Unknown to many, the nose is one part of the body where cancer warning signs can show up. If you notice the symptoms in this area, it may indicate nasal and sinus cancer.

Nasal and sinus cancer, according to the National Health Service, can affect the nasal cavity and sinuses. The nasal cavity is the space behind the nose, while sinuses are tiny air-filled cavities located inside the nose, forehead, and cheekbones. This rare cancer type usually affects men who are above 40 years old and is distinct from cancer that develops in the area where the throat and nose connect.

The Symptoms

The usual symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer are evidence of blood when blowing your nose and a stuffy nose that does not clear. Another symptom is pressure or pain behind the nose or in the teeth. The NHS revealed that these symptoms might appear similar to common and less-serious health conditions like sinusitis or a cold.

If you notice an uncommon or persistent symptom related to your nose, you must have it checked by the doctor to make sure. The symptoms you feel may have been caused by less-serious conditions and not caused by nasal or sinus cancer. This is the reason why you need to be examined by a doctor.

Treatment

If your doctor sees that the symptoms indeed are a cause for concern, he may refer you to a specialist for a more thorough examination. Such examination may include closely checking your throat and nose. The specialist may also take a tissue sample to make a proper diagnosis.

Your treatment, if it is nasal and sinus cancer, would oftentimes depend on the stage, position, and grade of cancer. Your general health would also have to be considered.

Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In surgery, the specialist will attempt to remove the tumor grown through open or keyhole surgery.

In the case of radiotherapy, high-energy radiation will be used to terminate cancerous cells and shrink the tumor before surgery. It may also be used to eradicate tiny pieces of tumors that may have been left after surgery.

Chemotherapy involves the use of medicine to shrink or delay tumor growth. It may also be used to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery.

The success of treatment depends on a lot of factors. These include the particular type of nasal and sinus cancer, the actual location, the extent of its spread, and your overall level of fitness and health.